Undated file photo of Oregon Health & Science University.
Courtesy of Michael McDermott / OHSU
Access to preschool in Oregon remains limited, with more than half of the state’s school districts reporting that demand has outpaced available slots. The deficit could leave many children without the early literacy and math skills they’re expected to bring into kindergarten.
The Kinder Coaching Program at Oregon Health & Science University aims to incorporate school readiness into medical care. During a routine visit, medical providers can refer children on Medicaid to a team of community health workers who help them develop the cognition, communication and social-emotional skills they need for kindergarten.
Jaime Peterson is a pediatrician at OHSU and director of the Kinder Coaching Program. Isha Syll is a certified community health worker and one of the program’s “kinder coaches.” They both join us to talk about the importance of providing early learning opportunities for low-income families.
“Think Out Loud®” broadcasts live at noon every day and rebroadcasts at 8 p.m.
If you’d like to comment on any of the topics in this show or suggest a topic of your own, please get in touch with us on Facebook, send an email to thinkoutloud@opb.org, or you can leave a voicemail for us at 503-293-1983.
